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Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy No Longer Officially Referring to Michael Oher as Adopted Son
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Date:2025-04-13 23:20:23
Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy are making a substitution.
The Memphis couple—whose lives were depicted in The Blind Side movie—are removing references to Michael Oher being their adopted son in official language, including on their websites and in public speaking materials, their lawyer told a judge on Nov. 29, per the Associated Press.
In response to the change, Oher said in a statement to NBC News, "Like I have said before, I have faith in the court system, so for now I will leave what has to be said through that process. My objections to the claims made are in the filing."
The Tuohys removed references suggesting they adopted the former NFL player, who lived with the family starting when he was in high school, amid their ongoing legal battle. In August, Oher filed a lawsuit against the couple, accusing them of lying about adopting him in high school when they actually became his conservators.
Oher, now 37, alleged that the Tuohys "falsely advised" him to sign a document making them his conservators in 2004, when he was 18, noting "he consented on the basis that doing so would make him a member of the Tuohy family," according to his filing, obtained by E! News.
The Baltimore Ravens alum said he only learned this year that it "in fact provided him no familial relationship with the Tuohys."
Oher also accused the family of financially profiting from his experiences through The Blind Side, adding that he never "willingly or knowingly" signed a document that would "give away" the life rights to his story.
His filing said the Tuohys "have allowed Michael, specifically, and the public, generally, to believe that Conservators adopted Michael and have used that untruth to gain financial advantages for themselves."
In September, Shelby County Probate Court Judge Kathleen Gomes officially terminated the conservatorship after nearly two decades, per documents obtained by E! News. During her ruling, the judge said she "cannot believe" the arrangement was ever put into place.
The Tuohys have denied that they made more money than Oher on the film, with the patriarch telling the Daily Memphian in August, "Everybody in the family got an equal share, including Michael."
"It's upsetting to think we would make money off any of our children," he noted. "But we're going to love Michael at 37 just like we loved him at 16."
Oher's tale was brought to the big screen in 2009, when he was played by Quinton Aaron, with Sandra Bullock cast as Leigh Anne Tuohy and Tim McGraw as Sean Tuohy. Three years later, the Super Bowl champ told it in his own words with his book I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to The Blind Side, and Beyond.
The Tuohys' rep declined to comment further on removing references to his adoption when contacted by NBC News.
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Look back at the real-life people who inspired The Blind Side:
Collins Tuohy, Sean Tuohy Jr., Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy got dressed up for the 2009 New York premiere of The Blind Side, the movie based on their life with adoptive son Michael Oher, who became a pro football player.
The longtime couple walked the red carpet at the 2010 Academy Awards in Los Angeles in honor of The Blind Side, which earned actress Sandra Bullock an Oscar that year for playing Leigh Anne.
Michael Oher promoted his book I Beat the Odds on The View in 2011.
Sandra Bullock posed with Leigh Anne, who she played onscreen, at a Blind Side benefit event in New Orleans in 2009.
Sean, Leigh Anne and Collins attended the movie's New York premiere in 2013.
Michael tied the knot with Tiffany Roy in November 2022. "Filled with joy, can't believe people took their time and came to celebrate!" the former NFL player captioned a photo of the ceremony. "My beautiful wife, I love you so much, thank you for blessing me with our family! Easily the best single weekend I've ever been apart of."
Leigh Anne and and Sean brought daughter Collins to the 2010 CMT Music Awards, where Carrie Underwood was a big winner.
The group posed for a photo at the Nashville event.
Oher stopped by the Walk of Champions at Ole Miss in April 2023. "Glad to see my name's still there," he wrote. "Class of ‘09, represent (‘08 football season). I got to take a tour of the new facilities under construction."
The marketing expert shared a photo with her husband Cannon Smith at the Old Florida Fish House
in July 2023. "Sweaty faces and full hearts," Collins wrote on social media. "It's a hot one down here, but we are having the best time. This restaurant is an oldie but goodie. We always eat here at least once. Best sushi."
Michael stopped by SiriusXM Studios in NYC on Aug. 9, 2023.
"Always know football season is right around the corner when it hits LAT's birthday," Collins wrote on Instagram in August 2023 alongside a throwback photo. "Today is the day… Happy Birthday Mom!! Love you!"
The football pro shared a pic with his loved ones in March 2023, writing, "Life is Beautiful‼️#family #life #growth."
The pair, who got married in 1982, went to an after-party hosted by Bloomberg and Vanity Fair party following the 2010 White House Correspondents dinner in Washington, DC.
Michael geared up for the release of his book When Your Back's Against the Wall in August 2023.
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